Islamic State leader killed as troops invade district in western Anbar

Anbar (IraqiNews.com) A senior Islamic State leader was killed on Thursday in west of Anbar, a security source was quoted saying.

“Joint troops managed to kill an IS field leader known as Mostafa Anwar Nayef at al-Shishan district in Annah town, west of Anbar,” the source told Alghad Press.

A source told the website earlier on the day that troops invaded the district, which is the largest in Annah.

In related news, Iraqi army announced the total recapture of the town, invaded on Wednesday, hours after recapturing neighboring Rayhana area.

According to military media, up to 30 militants were killed since offensives launched.

On Saturday, Iraqi joint troops liberated Akashat region, between Rutba town, on borders with Jordan, and Qaim, on borders with Syria.

Anbar’s western towns of Annah, Qaim and Rawa have been held by the extremist group since 2014, when it occupied one third of Iraq to proclaim a self-styled Islamic “Caliphate”. Iraqi troops were able to return life back to normal in the biggest cities of Anbar including Fallujah, Ramadi and others after recapturing them in 2015 and 2016.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the Joint Operations Command declared the start of offensives to retake IS-held regions in Salahuddin and Kirkuk provinces.